DOH expands access to Monkeypox vaccine

With four new cases of monkeypox reported throughout Hawaii, the state Department of Health announced it is expanding vaccination eligibility.

“As more vaccine doses become available, we are expanding vaccine eligibility to communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this outbreak,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Nathan Tan in a press release.

The two-dose Jynneos vaccine is now available statewide to residents 18 and older, and expanded eligibility will include those who have had close contact over the last 14 days with someone who has monkeypox; gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals who have multiple or anonymous sex partners; and persons with severe immune compromises, such as advanced HIV infection or active cancer treatment.

Also included will be those with skin conditions such as eczema and those who have a household member or sex partner at high risk for monkeypox.

Eligible individuals can make an appointment by contacting the DOH at (808) 586-4462.

The DOH has received roughly 2,8000 doses of Jynneos and continues to order Hawaii’s full allocation from the federal government. More than 1,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered so far.

Monkeypox is mainly spread through close, intimate contact with body fluids, lesion material, or items used by someone with monkeypox, as well as through large respiratory droplets which can travel more than a few feet. Prolonged contact is required.

Individuals with monkeypox symptoms, which include flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, or new or unexplained rash or shores, should immediately contact their health care provider.